It is only for letters that endorse a specific political candidate. The candidates have started writing letters and then getting someone to sign them and mail them in. They basically are trying to get free advertising in newspapers while spending all their money on TV.

It's a little late to comment on this, after the election and all, but it is sort of discrimination. So if someone was to write a letter to the editor talking about a certain Tomahawk business, this is okay? It is technically free advertisement to that business,or organization good or bad. I really do not think you have the right to pick and chose who to charge unless specifically stated from the beginning in your policies that no business, organizations can be mentioned in your section. This of course is just my opinion, but you cannot just set rules in the middle of the race.

The Tomahawk Leader established the policy of charging for endorsement letters last year. The candidates who've spoken to us on the policy have agreed that it was needed and understand. We simply had too many campaign organizations writing letters to the editor and finding a willing person to put his or her name to it. It was just a way for them to sink more money into broadcast media and direct mail. Meanwhile, they expected us to run their press releases (which we still do) as well as the letters to the editor for free. Since we do not discriminate against one campaign or another, we charge $25 for all endorsements.